Professionalism recognised at 2021 New Zealand Security Awards

Hosted by the New Zealand Security Association (NZSA), the New Zealand Security Awards is an annual opportunity to recognise the skill, commitment and professionalism abundant within the security industry, writes FIRST Security CEO Tim Covic.

There’s something truly special about the NZSA’s New Zealand Security Awards. Each year these awards manage to produce at least one particularly memorable moment in which an otherwise unsung recipient is recognised for an outstandingly empathetic, selfless or heroic act.

Whether it’s 2019’s Security Officer of the Year, Adele Tuhega, who used stories of her own family to stop a young woman from jumping in front of a train, or 2018’s Patrol Officer and Security Professional of the Year, Elizabeth Baker, who saved a toddler from drowning, the awards are a powerful reminder that security officers do some pretty amazing things.

This year’s awards were no different. And I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all 2021 nominees, finalists and award winners. It’s great to see the professionalism of the industry on display, particularly at a time when the focus on security has never been greater as we continue to navigate Covid and the shifting needs of the customers and communities we serve.

I’m particularly proud of members of the FIRST Security whānau who have been honoured this year, and I congratulate them for their extraordinary commitment and contribution to the security industry. Among them, they picked up an unprecedented seven awards, including:

Ian Dick Memorial Award for Security Professional of the Year - Marishka Wallace
Patrol Officer of the Year - Marishka Wallace
Security Consultant of the Year - Nicholas Gibbs
Michael Pepper Award for Outstanding Security Training Initiative of the Year - FIRST Security Skills Plus Training Programme
Security Trainer or Workplace Assessor of the Year - Yvonne Bruce
Security Administrator of the Year - Garvin Couch
Customer Champion of the Year - Brian Switalla

FIRST Security Forestry Patrol Officer Marishka Wallace received not only the Patrol Officer of the Year award but also the prestigious Ian Dick Memorial Award for Security Professional of the Year. She had also been presented with an award by our client Timberlands Limited earlier in the year for her outstanding commitment.

In the incident that formed the basis for her award nomination, Marishka had found herself being pursued by a driver wielding – and discharging – a firearm while conducting a routine permit check. In the face of exceptionally dangerous circumstances, she remained in control of the situation and her proficient driving skills helped her escape the gunman.

Whether displaying cool headedness and courage under fire, or just doing the basic things well day-in, day-out, Marishka embodies qualities and values that shine as an example to all those who work with her. It goes without saying that we’re very fortunate to have Mariska on our team and we’re extremely proud of her achievements – but it needs to be said, and it deserves to be celebrated!

FIRST Security National Manager of Managed Isolation & Quarantine (MIQ) Nick Gibbs was also recognised as Security Consultant of the Year. Nick was involved in the provision of end-to-end MIQ security operations, from security assessments through to implementing security processes and controls, and making it all work all within the challenging context of Covid-19.

As a result of his excellent work, FIRST now provides security services at all 31 MIQ sites. Importantly, Nick’s trusted advice has directly contributed to minimising security and safety breaches at the border – ultimately helping to keep New Zealanders safer. This is something he should be rightfully proud of.

FIRST Security was also recognised for its role in training the next generation of security officers and consultants, receiving both the Michael Pepper Award for Outstanding Security Training Initiative of the Year for our FIRST Security Skills Plus Training Programme, and Security Trainer or Workplace Assessor of the Year for our National Training Manager Yvonne Bruce.

The FIRST Security Skills Plus Training Programme was offered to our Site Supervisors in 2021 as a part of our ongoing Literacy and Numeracy Development Programme. The program focused on developing literacy and numeracy in the context of supervisor skills rather than security skills, giving participants greater confidence to undertake further courses within the NZQA framework. In addition to creating this very successful programme, Yvonne was recognised for her rapid creation of a wave of new training initiatives in response to COVID and MIQ requirements.

FIRST Security MIQ Quality Assurance Manager Garvin Couch received the award for Security Administrator of the Year. Garvin oversaw the roll out of security processes for the MIQ programme. It sounds simple enough, but the intricacies and scale of the logistical challenges around these deployments are truly mind boggling, and Garvin made it work.

Manager Strategic Accounts and ‘chief customer champion’ Brian Switalla picked up the award for Customer Champion of the Year. A very experienced and widely respected security professional, Brian oversees all of the company’s National Accounts, many of which have been customers of FIRST for over a decade. Nobody personifies the centrality of trust and confidence to our client relationships better than him.

While it is a source of great pride to have had seven award winners from among our own ranks, these awards are in many ways symbolic of the amazing talent and commitment on display across FIRST Security on any given day of the week. Our security officers, patrol officers, EMS officers, prisoner escort and court custodial officers, concierge staff, monitoring centre officers, regulatory enforcement officers, and each and every member of staff who support our operations in so many different ways are all a credit to our organisation.

Finally, a big ‘thank you’ to the NZSA for showcasing the professionalism of the industry again in 2021, and thank you to the professionals who – day-in day-out – play their part in keeping you and I and all New Zealanders safe.